England call-ups just elementary for Watsons

St George's College boast trio of international brothers through their ranks

Anthony Watson, left, with brothers Callum and Marcus, all of whom have played for England at underage level while at St George's College, Addlestone

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Dynamic scrum-half Callum Watson is following in his big brothers’ footsteps.

The St George’s College lower sixth student, from Walton, made his England U17 rugby debut against France at the end of April.

The talented youngster, who plays for London Irish U18s, is not the first Watson to earn national call-ups as both his brothers, Marcus and Anthony, featured in schoolboy squads during their time at the Addlestone college.

Middle brother Anthony’s career has gone from strength to strength after leaving the college in 2012.

The Ashford-born full-back, now 20, went on to play 18 times for London Irish having joined them in 2011 and, aged 17, became the youngest player in Exiles’ history to represent them in a Premiership match when he turned out against Newcastle Falcons.

He scored his first tries for the club in their victory over Stade Montois on October 20 2012.

At the same time he also played for England in the U20s Six Nations Championship finishing as the tournament’s second top try scorer behind London Irish team-mate at the time, Marland Yarde. The two formed a lethal combination in the England back three with their searing pace and power.

In April 2013 Anthony announced a switch to Bath and a string of impressive performances earned him a call-up to the full England squad to train ahead of their friendly against Argentina in November last year.

In January Watson was named in the 35-man party for the 2014 Six Nations Championship. He has represented his country so far at three levels, including U16 and U18 too.

'Sporting family'

Meanwhile Marcus, 22, left St George’s in 2009, and has played for London Irish, Saracens and England through to U20 levels. He also went to the Junior World Championships in 2010 and is established as an outstanding full-time sevens player for England.

Mark Crean, head of rugby at St George’s College, said: “This is a massive achievement for Callum and means that all three Watson boys who have attended the college have played for England at underage level.

“Before this, we have had no other schoolboy international rugby players from St George’s."

Crean has coached all three and added: "They come from a big sporting family and I can't take any credit for their development. They all have God-given talent.

"It will be interesting to see how Callum develops because he is young for his year. When Marcus and Anthony were aged 13, 14 and 15 they were pretty spectacular whereas Callum hasn't got their outright pace and has developed later."

Crean, as well as his colleagues at the college, took gratification in Anthony's inclusion for England's Six Nations squad this year and he added: "There's massive pride and satisfaction of course, everyone at the college feels that towards them.

"They are great kids, and well-grounded kids. It was a pleasure to coach them. They always enjoyed playing rugby with their team-mates and were never big-headed.

"Marcus and Anthony will come back regularly to hand out prizes and do some training sessions."

Can all three play together for England one day? "That's a big ask," confessed Crean. "But you never know. I would love to see them in a sevens team together. They are all good at sevens and that would be really something."